When we crumble(#wattys2015)

20.red hair

I ran my fingers through my hair as I examined the scene.

"How is he gone. He was just here!" I put my knuckles in my mouth and let out a frustrated cry.

Chase put his hands up. "Calm down, well find him."

"No! Leave him out there to suffer and die. What I want is guards all around the perimeter."

"Alright let's go do that." He gave me a smile.

With a scowl i walked out. The other kids gave curious glances as i stomped down the pathway.

What did I do to deserve this. All of this pain and hurt.

A image of my mom came up. She said open it in a time of need.

Taking the crumbled paper from my pocket I examined it.

Dear james, I have so much to tell you in such little time.

My foot hit the ground and i was yanked up hitting a tree trunk. My vision blurred. And then it was gone.

~~~~~

I opened my eyes.

"What the." I mumbled as I tried to get up to be strapped down by a chair.

Something cold pressed against my cheek and I looked up to see a girl with long red hair and cold brown eyes.

"I would've killed you but this." She waved a paper in front of me which was the note. "This my friend is keeping you alive. But first are you james."

I nodded.

A scowl was placed on her face. "How could you be so selfish!"

"What,selfish?" Oh no this girl is one of the ones that went crazy.

"You don't know do you." She took a step back with a smirk. "Even better for us."

"Us?"

"You didn't think i was alone. One of the rules never travel alone and you broke it and look where it got you."

"A crazy girl." I gasped as I realized I said that out loud.

"You're damn right I'm crazy. Crazy keeps you alive here." She looked me dead in the eye. "So I suggest you get crazy too."

I didn't break eye contact. Even if I wanted to I couldn't. Something in her eyes held my gaze.

"Who are you?" My voice was a mumble.

She started pacing breaking the contact between us. "They call me Ash. Short for ashton. Because of my hair."

"Then what's your real name?"

"It doesn't matter. That girl is dead. She died with the world."she came towards me with a knife." See you can be anyone you want." With a few swift movements the ropes were cut. She looked back and nodded.

I stood up rubbing my risk. She was a bit taller than me. "Thanks, but why did you cut me loose?"

"Because i want to show you something. But I have to blindfold you."

I nodded as my world became dark. It could be killed any moment. I have to kill her before she kills me. No ... I have to take this chance.

I was led down steps and eventually a road. A breeze trickled my hair.

We've been walking for what seems like hours when the blindfold was yanked off of me.

"Surprise."

My mouth dropped open. It was a nice little lake and right by it was a area with glass and a cave.

"I go here to escape. I never saw a walker around here. And if it rains or snow, whatever mother nature throws that cave protects me." She smiled.

"Why are you showing me?" This felt edgy but nice.

"Because i see it in your eyes."

"What?"

She walked next to the lake and layed on her back. Hands on her chest. "Myself."

"What do you mean?" I layed next to her tucking my arms beneath my head.

"You're a good person. But the worlds changing you. It's changing us."

I chuckled. "You really are crazy trusting a ticking time bomb."

She sat up on her elbows and stared at me. "We're all ticking time bombs waiting to explode." She held her gaze. "But some blow up before others and some not at all."

Silence hung around us. Not a deathly silence. It was calming... Peaceful and i loved it.

"You have to run."

"What?"

She sat up. "My leader should be getting here and if they find out about you they'll kill you! You have to run now!"

I jumped up. "Will i ever see you again?"

She stood up. "Here tomorrow at nightfall."

My lips connected with hers sending a warm feeling over my body. And soon as I pulled away i was pulled back into the world and I sprinted.